September – October 2016 (Round 1)

In round 1, we asked you what is important to you when it comes to people with and without dogs sharing Vancouver’s parks, including opportunities and challenges.

After considering this feedback, historical materials, other information such as mapping and analysis of Vancouver’s off-leash areas, and the experiences of other cities, we’ve developed draft recommendations for dog activity in Vancouver parks.

2012 (Approved guidelines for dog off-leash areas)

On July 23, 2012, the Park Board approved dog off-leash area guidelines, including a fencing guideline (item 5 below) that was amended in response to public feedback.

Location: Dog off-leash areas should be conveniently located across the city, providing for both neighbourhood and destination use. Off-leash areas should be carefully located within parks, considering other park uses and environmentally sensitive areas.

Rules: Dog off-leash areas should be available all day for off-leash use. The Park Board and Animal Control should continue to work together to decrease conflicts.

Communication: Websites and signage concerning dog off-leash area locations, boundaries, and rules should be clear and easy to understand.

Design: Dog off-leash areas should be attractive to dogs and dog owners, and constructed with durable, dog-friendly materials.

Fencing: Fencing or natural barriers should be used to reduce conflict, prioritizing high-conflict areas and ensuring appropriate fencing and separation for each park. (This guideline was amended to reflect public feedback.)